I will admit that I didn't do significant research before finding an online retailer (Aplus Water) and purchasing the Fleck 5600 SXT 48,000 grain water softener. I read and watched a handful of online reviews and it seemed that everything about the unit was very positive. I was also optimistic that I could install this myself and could start softening my water for under $750 instead of the $1500-2000+ quotes I was getting from local water conditioning companies (much of what they said also gave me concerns about trusting them).
I have now spent some time reading through this forum and realize that the 5600 is a rather old valve and that the online retailers do not carry the latest Fleck valves because Fleck is following the lead of Clack and opting to distribute through local retails who are more knowledgeable on their products. I assume that the unit I bought is not a bad product, but it is outdated. Will this matter to me in a house with 5 people (three very young kids) and 5.5 bathrooms? We are in Chicago and have roughly 8 GPG of hardness from the lake water.
I have potentially given up on the DIY approach because there is no loop in the plumbing for the water softener and I have concerns about either causing flooding or having to go a few days without water because I shutoff the main and cannot finish the project on my own. Now, professional plumbing installation estimates are coming in at $1000-1200. So, when all is said and done I may end up paying $1700-1800 anyway.
So, my question - If I am going to end up paying that much, should I throw away the Fleck 5600 and go with a better system out of the gates?
I have now spent some time reading through this forum and realize that the 5600 is a rather old valve and that the online retailers do not carry the latest Fleck valves because Fleck is following the lead of Clack and opting to distribute through local retails who are more knowledgeable on their products. I assume that the unit I bought is not a bad product, but it is outdated. Will this matter to me in a house with 5 people (three very young kids) and 5.5 bathrooms? We are in Chicago and have roughly 8 GPG of hardness from the lake water.
I have potentially given up on the DIY approach because there is no loop in the plumbing for the water softener and I have concerns about either causing flooding or having to go a few days without water because I shutoff the main and cannot finish the project on my own. Now, professional plumbing installation estimates are coming in at $1000-1200. So, when all is said and done I may end up paying $1700-1800 anyway.
So, my question - If I am going to end up paying that much, should I throw away the Fleck 5600 and go with a better system out of the gates?